Published 4:00 am, Thursday, February 17, 2005

Q: When will the NHL play again?

A: Commissioner Gary Bettman says the league plans to start the 2005-06 season on time in October, which leaves open to question whether the league might declare an impasse and bring in replacement players or NHL players willing to cross a picket line.

Q: What happens to players who were in the last year of their contract this season?

A: To be determined in the new CBA, but in all likelihood, they'll need new deals. And those who reach unrestricted status might have an unexpected chance to bolt town.

Q: What would the Sharks' prospects have been in a shortened season?

A: Excellent. They had 23 players signed, one of the few teams in the league with that many under contract. The Sharks were going to be faster than last season and could have grabbed a greater portion of the sports fan's attention given the lack of excitement over the other fall and winter pro teams.

Q: Do players receive benefits while locked out?

A: Yes, medical needs are covered with a plan offered and funded by the players' association.

Q: What happens to the draft?

A: It is unscheduled, but Bettman said a draft would be held before the league next plays. It has not been determined who will get the first pick.

Q: Bettman talked about a $300 million war chest for teams. Do the players have one?

A: Yes, and they are allowed to dip into it for $5,000-$10,000 each month from the NHLPA if they so choose.

Q: Have teams and players dipped into those funds?

A: Yes and yes.

Q: Who is happiest about the cancellation?

A: Octopi in the metro Detroit area.

Q: How will the game look different when it returns?

A: The rules changes used as experiments in the American Hockey League this year -- limits on the goalies playing the puck, shootouts to decide ties, more room in the offensive zone and a crackdown on obstruction -- likely will be implemented.

Q: Where will players play in the meantime?

A: The 350 playing in European leagues this year could be a modest number compared with how many more will join at the outset of next season in the fall.

Q: Why didn't the government intervene?

A: It did, somewhat secretly. The league and players met with government mediators three times, including as recently as Sunday in Washington, D.C.

Q: What's the craziest Internet rumor?

A: That a few disgruntled players were scrambling to put together a proposal, circumventing executive director Bob Goodenow's leadership, in the hopes of sending a proposal to Bettman late Wednesday.